George H. Zakarian, 92, died at home on Tuesday, August 8, 2006. His wife, Viola V. (Hekowicz) Zakarian, died in 2001. He is survived by his daughter, Cynthia V. Zakarian of Worcester; 2 sons, George H. Zakarian, Jr., of Worcester and Geoffrey H. Zakarian of New York City; 2 sisters, Virginia Zakarian and Roxie Orent, both of Worcester. He was predeceased by a brother, Simon, and a sister, Anna. George was born in Worcester, son of Hachadoor and Azniv (Kachadoarian) Zakarian. He graduated from Commerce High and Becker Jr. College, attended New England Conservatory, and graduated from Boston Conservatory of Music. He was a WWII veteran and played in the 181st Infantry band. George had many varied experiences in over 60 years as a musician. He played trombone in the Worcester Brigade Band, Worcester Oratory and Symphony Orchestras, Les Elgart and Bob Chester Orchestras, along with his own dance band. He played with or directed orchestras in resorts, nightclubs, and theaters in the New England area. He played for President John F. Kennedy, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Tony Bennett, and many more. He taught music at Lawrence and Philips Academies as well as schools in Grafton, Framingham, Hudson, and Marlborough. George was a member and past treasurer for Worcester Musician Union and a member of Boston Musician Union. He was a life-long member of Armenian Church of Our Saviour.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 12, at 12:00 p.m. in Armenian Church of Our Saviour. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. A calling hour will be held prior to the service at 10:30 a.m. in Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Armenian Church of Our Saviour, 87 Salisbury St. Worcester or UMass Memorial Hospice, UMass Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 2795, Worcester MA 01613-9938. For directions and on-line guestbook, please visit:
NordgrenMemorialChapel.com